
If you’ve been thinking about how to play roulette but feel like you don’t know the rules or what the heck is going on when people start throwing around words like “split” or “corner bet,” don’t worry. I’ve got you.
In this complete guide, I’ll cover the rules, the bets, the excitement, and the social buzz. I’ll even let you in on some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way so you can actually feel like you know what you’re doing next time you hit that virtual table. Ready? Good. Let’s break it all down.
Roulette isn’t new. It dates back to 18th-century France (yep, the French did more than just pastries and perfumes). Legend has it that a mathematician (and apparently part-time thrill-seeker) named Blaise Pascal accidentally created an early version while trying to invent a perpetual motion machine. So instead of changing science forever, he accidentally birthed one of the world’s most famous games of chance. Go figure.
By the late 1700s, it was the hottest thing in French gambling houses, and as time went on, roulette made its way to the glamorous casinos of Monte Carlo and eventually crossed the ocean to find a home in the bustling casinos of America.
Well, first off, there’s a wheel. A big, beautiful, numbered wheel, alternating in red and black, with a little green zero (and double zero if you’re playing the American version). You’ve got numbers from 1 to 36, half red, half black, then your zeros in green. Players place their bets on a table layout, choosing numbers, colors, or sections they believe the ball will land on.
Then the dealer (or the croupier if you wanna be fancy) spins the wheel one way and flings a tiny white ball in the other. It bounces, it skips, it dances, and for a few sweet seconds, it feels like time itself slows down. Everyone’s eyes lock on that ball, hearts race, drinks pause midair… and then click clack click, it lands. Where it lands decides who wins, who sighs, and who pretends they were “just warming up.”
So I’ve already mentioned that there is a spinning wheel when it comes to roulette. Well, the wheel has numbers ranging from 1 to 36. Half are red, half are black, and then there’s that pesky green pocket (0). If you’re in the U.S., there might be a second green pocket marked 00 too (because apparently, in the US we like our odds a little worse).
So, how many numbers are in roulette?
As mentioned earlier, there are 1 to 36 numbers on the roulette wheel. These are the numbered pockets you’re betting on. The extra pockets (0 or 0 + 00) are what bring the total to 37 or 38. European roulette has 37 numbers: numbers 1 to 36, plus a single zero (0). While American roulette has 38 numbers, numbers 1 to 36, plus a single zero (0) and a double zero (00).
Now, this is where people get either brave or reckless (and often both). When you place your chips, you’re betting on where that tiny, bouncing ball is going to land.
These are the bets you place directly on specific numbers or small groups of numbers inside the main grid of the roulette table.
Types of inside bets include;
These are what I like to call the “I-just-want-to-survive-a-little-longer” bets. They cover larger groups of numbers and are the bets placed around the edges, outside the main grid of numbers on the roulette table.
Types of outside bets include:
So, how do you play roulette? Roulette is one of the most entertaining sweepstakes casino games. If you’re ready to play roulette at a sweepstakes casino, here’s how it works, without the boring jargon.
In a sweepstakes social casino, joining a roulette table is literally a click away. One of the biggest perks of sweepstakes casinos is the ability to play no-download roulette games straight from your browser.
You’ll see different virtual chips, usually labeled 1, 5, 10, 25, maybe even 50 GC or SC (more on this later)
Once the bets have been placed, hit the “Spin” button. The virtual wheel will start spinning and a little ball will whizz around in the opposite direction. In live sweepstakes casinos, an actual person spins the wheel while everyone in the game watches.
The ball finally slows, bounces around like it’s teasing you, and lands in a pocket.
The game flashes the winning number on the screen. If you bet on that number or group, you get your prize.
There’s no foolproof way to beat the wheel. Let me say it again, louder for the people in the back; no strategy can guarantee a win at roulette. If it could, casinos (and sweepstakes sites) would have shut it down ages ago.
Roulette is a game of chance and is made purely for entertainment. However, there are smart ways to play. Let’s take a look
This is important and newbies overlook this all the time. European roulette has a single zero so there are 37 numbers (0–36), meaning better odds for you. American roulette has 38 numbers, i.e., 0–36 plus 00. Worse odds for you. Always pick European if you have the choice.
That extra 00 in American roulette bumps the house edge up to 5.26%, while European roulette sits at a more forgiving 2.7%. In sweepstakes casinos, both types exist, so check before you spin.
When it comes to roulette, please set limits. Decide how many Gold Coins or Sweepstakes Coins you’re willing to risk before you start.
If you double your balance, consider calling it a day and walking away. If you hit your stop-loss limit, close the tab, step away, and get a snack.
Before I present the best sweepstakes casinos to play roulette, let’s clear up how sweepstakes casinos actually work. Sweepstakes roulette isn’t exactly the same as what you’d find in a traditional real-money casino. In a social sweepstakes casino, you’re using virtual currencies like Gold Coins (GC) and Sweepstakes Coins (SC) instead of real cash.
How do you get them?
Ready? Let’s go
Stake.us is a fully loaded, top-tier social gaming hub where you can play a ridiculous variety of games using virtual currencies called Gold Coins and Stake Cash. There are live casino games including roulette, blackjack, poker, and baccarat. You’ve also got Stake Originals (unique, exclusive games you won’t find anywhere else) and a massive library of slot games. Stake.us makes it ridiculously easy to start spinning with a generous welcome package. You’ll get 55 Stake Cash + 260,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback when you join with our exclusive code: JAXONSOCIAL
Popular roulette games on Stake.us includes; Lucky 6 Roulette by Pragmatic Play, Stake Roulette (exclusively available on Stake.us), and Auto Roulette by ICONIC21.
If you love variety, you’re going to love BetRivers.net. This social casino offers over 250 online casino games you can play, all from your phone, tablet, or desktop. You’ve got free slots, blackjack, keno, bingo, video poker and roulette, both standard and live dealer.
For the best free roulette experience, you can jump into games like Roulette Live for a classic experience, or go bold with Lightning Roulette Live. If you’re new to BetRivers.net, you can grab a bonus of 250 virtual coins (VC$) just for signing up.
If you love having options, Fortune Coins Casino delivers big time. This is one of the most popular sweepstakes casinos, boasting a library of around 900 to 1,000+ games (depending on your region). While Fortune Coins shines with its variety of slot and casual games, when it comes to table games, it’s surprisingly limited. Right now, they offer just one roulette game — Roulette X.
As a new player, you’ll receive 100,000 Gold Coins (GC) and 200 Free Fortune Coins (FC) just for registering. If you go on to verify your phone, consent to email notifications and opt in to receive SMS promotions, you’ll be given more bonus GC and FC.
If you’re after a social casino that blends variety, excitement, and a touch of live-dealer realism, Pulsz Casino might just be your vibe. With over 700+ games (some regions see more than 1,000) and a growing fanbase, Pulsz is a top-tier sweepstakes casino for casual players looking to have fun. Pulsz packs in slots, poker, roulette, daily bonuses, competitions, and giveaways. While Pulsz officially lists roulette among its classic table games, at the time of this review, we couldn’t locate any active roulette titles in their game library. It happens sometimes, especially with social casinos where games come and go due to licensing, demand, or platform updates. Roulette lovers will appreciate that Pulsz offers both digital and live-dealer versions. For anyone seeking roulette apps, Pulsz Casino has a dedicated mobile app that offers a variety of roulette games. When you register at Pulsz Casino, you’ll get 5,000 Free Gold Coins instantly. From there, you can collect daily login bonuses and other promotional giveaways.
Casino Click made its debut in December 2024 and is one of the newest sweepstakes casinos on our list. It’s available nationwide, except in Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Kentucky, and Washington. Right now, Casino Click is focused on slots, keno, and casual games. While it’s fast becoming a favorite for social casino fans, it currently doesn’t offer any roulette games but has very entertaining sweepstakes slot games. The good news is the team at Casino Click has announced an exciting upcoming update that will add another 190 games to their platform (nearly doubling their current offering). While an official list of those new titles hasn’t been released, there’s a strong hint that roulette will be joining the lineup very soon. So while you won’t find a roulette wheel spinning here today, Casino Click is definitely one to watch.
All new players receive 100,000 GC and 2 SC for free upon sign up.
Here’s a table with some quick facts about the roulette options and features at the sweepstakes casinos we reviewed;
🎲 Casino | 🎰 Best roulette games offered | ✨ Live dealer? | 🤝 Welcome bonus | ⚖️ Eligibility | 🗽 Restricted states |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stake.us | Lucky 6 Roulette, Stake Roulette, Auto Roulette. | Yes | 55 Stake Cash + 260,000 GC + 5% rakeback (Code: JAXONSOCIAL) | 18+ | Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Washington, Vermont, New Jersey , Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. |
BetRivers.net | Lightning Roulette Live, Roulette Live | Yes | 250 VC$ free | 21+ | Michigan, Idaho, and Washington amongst others. |
Fortune Coins | Roulette X | No | 100,000 GC + 200 FC (plus extras when additional steps are taken) | 18+ | Washington, Michigan, and Idaho. |
Pulsz Casino | Digital & Live Dealer Roulette | Yes | 5,000 Free Gold Coins + daily giveaways | 18+ | Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia, New York, and Connecticut. |
Casino Click | Coming soon | No | 100,000 GC and 2 SC | 18+ | Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Kentucky, and Washington |
Roulette in sweepstakes casinos is a story worth following. It’s evolving, it’s unpredictable, and very entertaining. Whether you’re brand new or you’ve dabbled a bit but still feel like the ball has a personal vendetta against you, I hope this guide explains exactly how this game works, what to bet on, and how to play. One thing to remember is that sweepstakes roulette isn’t exactly real money roulette, but you can still redeem eligible Sweeps Coins for cash prizes, making it a fun and legal alternative in the U.S.
While most of the sites suggested above offer roulette and generous bonuses, it’s super important to play responsibly and always check their terms, age restrictions, and legal state availability.
In sweepstakes roulette, you place your virtual bets with virtual currencies (GC and SC), watch the wheel spin, and see where the ball lands.
European roulette has 37 numbers (1–36 plus a single 0), while American roulette has 38 numbers (1–36, a single 0, and a double 00).
You select your chip value, place it on your chosen number(s) or betting section on the table layout, then spin the wheel and drop the ball.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.